4 Reasons Not to Apologize for Your Body: Thoughts from a body image therapy in salt lake city
We live in a world of health challenges and an overall focus on changing our bodies. It’s the worst for those that I work with to try and deal with. They are already hyper-focused We live in a world that constantly tells women their bodies need to be smaller, quieter, and more acceptable. For many women in Salt Lake City, this pressure shows up as apologizing for their bodies, commenting on weight, clothing, or taking up space and often without even realizing it. These apologies don’t come from nowhere. They’re shaped by years of messaging that teaches women to monitor and criticize their bodies rather than treat them with respect.
If you’ve found yourself stuck in this pattern, you’re not alone. Working with a therapist through body image therapy in Salt Lake City can help you understand where this body shame came from and begin changing the way you relate to your body, without forcing confidence or pretending body image is easy.
Your body deserves kindness
What would the world be like if there were more focus on giving our bodies the respect that they deserve? You know, rather than trying to shrink them or berate them for everything they aren’t, but to give them kindness instead. This is the year that I decided to set an intention of not making apologies or disclaimers for my body. What my hair looks like, what clothes I’m wearing or not wearing is something that I want to spend my energy talking about or apologizing for anymore.
You don’t have to apologize for your appearance.
I want to remind you that your body and your appearance are not something you need to give an apology for. It’s not something you need to give a disclaimer about or try and make people comfortable with. Your body is a good body, and that may be part of your work in coming to terms with. Remember your body deserves to be protected from cruelty and unkindness and even when that comes from you.
Reasons not to apologize for your body
It puts too much focus on appearance.
I’m sure you are keenly aware of women's crushing pressure to be thin, sculpted, airbrushed, and flawless. This focus on appearance is unhealthy and truly makes women miserable because it’s unattainable. If I know you, you don’t want to reinforce this to other people. Sadly, when we comment on our appearance in a derogatory way, it continues to perpetuate the importance of what our bodies look like. Our bodies are so much more than something pretty to look at.
Your body is about more than what it looks like.
It might be hard for you right now, but I could think of so many incredible things about your body that have nothing to do with what it looks like. Your body allows you to experience wonderful things outside of appearance. It allows you to be with the people you love and to create memories and meaning in life. Your body deserves more credit than what it looks like.
Your body is good regardless of what it looks like.
Your worth and value does not change based on if you’re wearing mascara or not. It doesn’t change based on what you wear or what you weigh. Your body’s purpose is not to look good but to be good. This means being whole, happy, and fulfilled comes from other things, not from your appearance.
Apologizing for your body is the opposite of empowering.
When you apologize to your body, it disempowers you and those around you. It won’t be your intention, but the women around you may look at their bodies and search for what’s “wrong” with them. Historically women have had an unspoken bond over bashing their bodies together, and nobody leaves those conversations feeling hyped about themselves. You aren’t going to feel positive after criticizing your body or apologizing for what you look like.
Working with a body image therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah can help
Having a positive body image and having respect for your body is absolutely achievable no matter what your size or weight. You deserve to be kind to your body even if you aren’t madly in love with it. I recognize wholeheartedly it is difficult to overcome negative body image. Maybe you’ve already tried it on your own, and it continues to impact your life negatively. Therapy for body image facilitates healing from the experiences that have led you to mistrust and hate your body. Body image therapy can help you gain more respect for your body and to focus on it much less. Dealing with body image issues can impact your life and your functioning. It’s not something that should be minimized or dismissed but deserves help from a professional.
Start Body Image Therapy in Salt Lake City
You don’t have to keep apologizing for your body or living with constant self-criticism. Body image therapy can help you move away from shame and toward a more respectful, neutral relationship with your body.
I provide body image therapy for women in Salt Lake City, Utah, through secure online sessions. To get started:
Meet with a Utah therapist
Begin to make peace with your body
Online Therapy in Utah
I know it’s hard to make time in your busy schedule to attend therapy, and I also know how big of a different body image therapy can make in your overall well-being. I want you to be able to do this for yourself. This is why I provide online therapy in Utah. It’s safe and convenient, and I promise it’s equally as effective as coming to the office for therapy.
I offer online body image therapy for women in Salt Lake City, Utah, making it easier to access specialized support without travel or added stress.
About the author
Ashlee Hunt, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Maple Canyon Therapy, an online therapy practice serving women in Salt Lake City, Utah. She specializes in body image therapy, eating disorder recovery, and anxiety, helping women move away from shame, self-criticism, and the pressure to apologize for their bodies.
Ashlee earned her Master of Social Work from Utah State University and holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Utah University in psychology and family life and human development. Her work is trauma-informed and grounded in compassion, supporting clients in understanding the emotional roots of body image struggles rather than trying to “fix” their bodies.